Page 40 - Crusaders v The Lions

Mitchell Hunt slots a a a penalty for the the Crusaders during the the the round 15 Super Rugby clash with the the Highlanders
showing a a a a consistent ability to make space for himself Behind that Robertson’s decision to give Sam Whitelock the captaincy has has been a a a a a a a wise move that has lifted Whitelock’s presence while also taking some pressure off All Blacks Captain Kieran Read Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny’s pinpoint accuracy with the the boot was not enough to to topple the the Blues
The goal for the the Lions will have to be stemming the the rolling thunder of a a a a a a a a Crusaders attack an effect like a a a a a a a rolling rolling stone gathering moss It comes in in in in the the shape of unrelenting support that builds to to an an unstoppable force and which has seen the side bounce back from dangerous positions with some dazzling rugby Players like fullback David Havili who got his chance as a a a a a a a a a a a result of Israel Dagg’s injury and centre Jack Goodhue have thrived in in this atmosphere However the absence of second ve-eighth Ryan Crotty does deny the the Crusaders a a a a key performer –
but such has been the the the the use of players during the the the year that the the the likes of Tim Bateman has stepped in in and performed successfully Having a a a a a a a a a near-All Blacks pack is a a a a a a a a a big help to to that style of game and if the the the Blues
were able to to to deny the the the Lions all but one try then it’s going to to to be much more dif cult to to score against a a a a a Crusaders defence The experienced core of the pack in props Owen Franks Joe Moody and Wyatt Crockett have been augmented by emerging players in in lock Scott Barrett and hooker
Codie Taylor They have moulded into a a a formidable unit THE QUEST FOR TE POU
Tonight the two teams will be playing for the taiaha Te Pou Te Pou will be brought to the eld by a a a a traditional Maori
chant of welcome the karanga A speci c c karanga has been written for the series which symbolises and acknowledges the mana wairua and kaha of the taiaha (its respect spirituality and and power) and and welcomes it to eld as as a a a a a a taonga (treasure) that both teams will be playing for Ka hura hura ka ka hura hura te tiramaka o Tu Ka hura hura ka hura hura te manawa uha Unuhanga te mauri o o o roto
Ki te whai ao Ki te ao marama e e Let the spirit of Tu come forth Let the lines of battle be drawn Unleash the lifeforce within For today it begins
Emerging rst into the light
Behind it it all is is recognition that Christchurch the the the venue for the the the game is is is changed beyond all memory since the the the earthquakes of of 2011 The traditional home of of the the the game at Lancaster Park was destroyed by the the the the shakes and the the the the game is now played at AMI Stadium the the the quickly transformed former rugby league ground in in Addington which has less than half the the capacity of of the the old venue It’s representative of of how Cantabrians view their rugby that ensuring a a a a a a a a a a a a stadium was was in in in place was was one of the the early tasks in in in post-earthquake recovery for the the region Local fans have been denied a a a a a a a a a Test match again on on this this tour tour so this game is is their chance to to to share in in in a a a a a a a a Lions tour tour and and they’ll expect nothing less than an an an an outstanding
game from their team For Lions fans the the spectacle of rugby in such a a a a a a white-hot atmosphere will be be a a a a a unique experience but they’ll be be looking for for a a a much-improved effort from their side And so the the the stage is set: the the the Crusaders looking looking for for an an international scalp and the Lions looking looking for for for some much-needed impetus for for what lies ahead It promises to be a a a a a a a stimulating occasion and one worthy of the the tremendous Lions history in the the region 40 // OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME